Ironman Triathlon

If you are a triathlete, there is no bigger day in this sport than the Ford Ironman World Championship held in Kona, Hawaii recently. To get to the starting line in Kona, you must either be very lucky and get yourself a spot through the lottery, or very talented, and win yourself a qualifying spot at one of the qualifying events held around the world. Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get one of those coveted Ironman spots every year. Only 1,793 succeeded.

That means 1,793 "lucky" people get to test themselves on one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer ... 2.4-miles of swimming, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run through tough ocean waves, and challenging lava-covered terrain. If you don't complete the course within 17 hours, you will be considered as "Did Not Finish". After all the gruelling swim/cycling/running and you are considered DNF????????? This is crazy indeed! But I really marvel at all this tough guys/ladies, real strong determination.

Men's results:
1. Normann Stadler of Germany (Time: 08:11:56)
2. Chris McCormack of Australia (Time: 08:13:07)
3. Faris Al-Sultan of Germany (Time: 08:19:04)
.......... Malaysia's sole qualifier, Wong Ah Thiam, finished at no. 349 with a time of 09:57.

Women's results:
1. Michellie Jones of USA (Time: 09:18:31)
2. Desiree Ficker of USA (Time: 09:24:02)
3. Lisa Bentley of Canada (Time: 09:25:18)
Tags: Sports, Ironman, Triathlon, Kona